Fears over growth of food banks

Last week, I opened three new food bank collection bins at the City Council’s Woodcock Street offices. The bins allow Council staff to contribute food which is then taken by the Salvation Army to Birmingham Central Food Bank, for distribution to families and children across the city.

The growing demand upon food banks is a sad reflection of the pressures that the people of Birmingham are facing as a result of welfare reform, spending cuts and the general economic situation. Here in Shard End Ward, we now have at least two food banks supporting hard pressed and vulnerable local residents and there is a growing network in neighbourhoods across the city.

I gave a short interview setting out the work that the City Council is doing, along with our partners, to try and help local people faced with these challenges. Click on the link above to watch.